DOCSLIB.ORG

Tuesday 09 July 2019

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Tuesday 09 July 2019 1 No. 22 of 2019 SIXTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) (UNREVISED) FIRST SESSION TUESDAY 09 JULY 2019 2 CONTENTS PAPERS LAID QUESTIONS (Oral) MOTION STATEMENT BY MINISTER BILLS (Public) ADJOURNMENT QUESTIONS (Written) 3 THE CABINET (Formed by Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth) Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, Minister of Finance and Economic Development Hon. Ivan Leslie Collendavelloo, GCSK, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Public SC Utilities Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, GCSK, Minister Mentor, Minister of Defence, Minister for KCMG, QC Rodrigues Hon. Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands, Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare Hon. Yogida Sawmynaden Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation Hon. Nandcoomar Bodha, GCSK Minister of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Hon. Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research Hon. Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, SC Minister of Tourism Dr. the Hon. Mohammad Anwar Husnoo Minister of Health and Quality of Life Hon. Prithvirajsing Roopun Minister of Arts and Culture Hon. Marie Joseph Noël Etienne Ghislain Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Sinatambou Environment and Sustainable Development Hon. Mahen Kumar Seeruttun Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security Hon. Ashit Kumar Gungah Minister of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Hon. Maneesh Gobin Attorney General, Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Institutional Reforms Hon. Jean Christophe Stephan Toussaint Minister of Youth and Sports 4 Hon. Soomilduth Bholah Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives Hon. Marie Roland Alain Wong Yen Minister of Social Integration and Economic Cheong, MSK Empowerment Hon. Premdut Koonjoo Minister of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping Hon. Soodesh Satkam Callichurn Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, Employment and Training Hon. Purmanund Jhugroo Minister of Housing and Lands Hon. Marie Cyril Eddy Boissézon Minister of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms Hon. Dharmendar Sesungkur Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance 5 PRINCIPAL OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS Madam Speaker Hanoomanjee, Hon. Mrs Santi Bai, GCSK Deputy Speaker Lesjongard, Georges Pierre Deputy Chairperson of Committees Jahangeer, Hon. Ahmad Bashir Clerk of the National Assembly Lotun, Mrs Bibi Safeena Deputy Clerk Ramchurn, Ms Urmeelah Devi Clerk Assistant Gopall, Mr Navin Clerk Assistant Seetul, Ms Darshinee Hansard Editor Jankee, Mrs Chitra Serjeant-at-Arms Pannoo, Mr Vinod 6 MAURITIUS Sixth National Assembly --------------- FIRST SESSION ------------ Debate No. 22 of 2019 Sitting of 09 July 2019 The Assembly met in the Assembly House, Port Louis at 11.30 a.m. The National Anthem was played (Madam Speaker in the Chair) 7 PAPERS LAID The Prime Minister: Madam Speaker, the Papers have been laid on the Table. A. Office of the President The 45th Annual Report of the Ombudsman for the period January-December 2018. (In Original) B. Prime Minister’s Office Certificate of Urgency in respect of the Industrial Property Bill 2019 (No. XV of 2019). (In Original) C. Minister Mentor’s Office, Ministry of Defence and Ministry for Rodrigues Rodrigues Regional Assembly (Banning of Disposable Plastic Food Items) Regulations 2019. (Government Notice (Rodrigues Regional Assembly) No. 1 of 2019) D. Ministry of Health and Quality of Life (a) The Dental Council (Medical Institutions) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations 2019. (Government Notice No. 114 of 2019) (b) The Food (Amendment) Regulations 2019. (Government Notice No. 115 of 2019) E. Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection The Rodrigues Consumer Protection (Control of Price of Taxable and Non-taxable Goods) Regulations 2019. (Government Notice No. 116 of 2019) 8 ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS CANNABIDIOL, CANNABIS & CANNABIS RESIN - PRESCRIPTION - MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS The Leader of the Opposition (Mr X. L. Duval) (by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Health and Quality of Life whether, in the light of the recent assessment and findings of the 41st Expert Committee on Drug Dependence of the World Health Organization, he will state if consideration will now be given for - (a) Cannabidiol to be removed from the purview of the Dangerous Drugs Act, and (b) medicines containing cannabis and cannabis resin to be authorized for use in Mauritius on prescription by medical practitioners. Dr. Husnoo: Madam Speaker, Cannabis is defined as a flowering top or separated resin of the cannabis sativa plant. Cannabis contains about 400 chemicals, including 121 reported phyto-canabinoids with the most prominent of these compounds being delta 9 – Tetra hydro cannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol. However, Tetra hydro cannabinol is the principal intoxicant constituent of cannabis. It is to be noted that cannabidiol is the non-intoxicating compound of cannabis compared to Tetra hydro cannabinol, which gives the euphoric feeling when consumed. Early this year, the WHO’s recommendation was delivered to the United Nations as part of its report of the 41st Expert Committee on Drug Dependence: Cannabis and Cannabis related substances. Furthermore, the report cited the potential of Cannabis to cause adverse side effects, such as impairment of motor-control and cognitive functions. These effects were attributed to the presence of delta – 9 – Tetra hydro cannabinol, that is, THC, in cannabis and cannabis derived products. Most of the adverse effects associated with cannabis result from chronic use. Regular cannabis use is associated with increased risks of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and psychotic illness. Madam Speaker, Cannabis and Cannabis resin are currently under Schedule I of the Dangerous Drugs Act 2000. Cannabidiol is a component of cannabis. 9 On 24 January 2019, the WHO released the final outcome of its scientific assessments of cannabis sativa-based products and substances, following the reviews undertaken at the WHO’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence 39th, 40th and 41st Sittings. The final adoption of these recommendations by the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is expected for March 2020 during the 63rd Session. With regard to parts (a) and (b) of the question, my Ministry is presently not considering the removal of cannabis and cannabis resin from the Dangerous Drugs Act 2000 until a further study is made on the implications of the drug and its … Mr X. L. Duval: Madam Speaker, on a point of order. The question does not relate to removing of cannabis and cannabis resin from the Dangerous Drugs Act; it relates to cannabidiol being removed from the Dangerous Drugs Act. Otherwise, it will create confusion. The question is not as I asked. Madam Speaker: The question is in two parts. In the first part, you have asked about cannabidiol to be removed from the purview of the Dangerous Drugs Act and the second one relates to cannabis and cannabis resin. Now, the hon. Minister is a medical practitioner and he knows better whether those two are related or not. Dr. Husnoo: I think you will agree, Madam Speaker, in both questions (a) and question (b), we are talking about cannabidiol and part (b) about cannabis and cannabis resin. That’s what I am talking about. So, I will just start again if you do not mind. With regard to parts (a) and (b) of the question, my Ministry is presently not considering the removal of cannabis and cannabis resin from the Dangerous Drugs Act 2000 until a further study is made on the implications of the drug and its components. A policy decision will be taken in light of the recommendation, taking into consideration the specificity of our country. My Ministry will set up a high-level committee after the adoption of the UN Commission on Narcotics in March 2020 to consider recommendation. Mr X. L. Duval: Thank you, Madam Speaker. We are talking about use of cannabidiol for medical purposes. The Expert Committee on Drug Dependence recommends strongly, clearly that cannabidiol no longer be treated as a dangerous drug. Can I ask the hon. Minister what is now the official position of Mauritius, pending the meeting of March, concerning cannabidiol? 10 Dr. Husnoo: As I have just mentioned, we are waiting for March 2020. Once the United Nations decides in what direction we are going to go, then I am going to set up a committee to study in which direction, what we are going to do regarding cannabidiol. Mr X. L. Duval: Madam Speaker, the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence of the WHO consists of world-renowned experts - 11 of them. All of them are medical practitioners or pharmacists. They have recommended clearly that cannabidiol should be removed. Now, it is going to be the Ministerial Committee, in March, which will decide - 53 countries. Politicians will decide. So, I am asking the Government here in Mauritius to tell me what is the political position of Mauritius regarding the expert decision, the expert recommendation? Dr. Husnoo: I have just answered, Madam Speaker. I am going to wait for the United Nations and then I am going to set up a committee, not by politicians, by experts in the field to decide in which direction to go. Mr X. L. Duval: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister, I am sure, is aware that the Food and Drug Administration, a hugely respected organisation in America, has now authorised, approved Epidiolex to be used in epilepsy cases where thousands of children, in Mauritius also, 15,000 people suffer from epilepsy. Now, FDA in USA has authorised cannabidiol in Epidiolex to be used. Does that not influence the Government here that the same should be done? Dr. Husnoo: Again, I agree… (Interruptions) What I was going to say is that, as far as treatment of epilepsy is concerned, the treatment of epilepsy is not for all types of epilepsy, as you mentioned 15,000 people have epilepsy in Mauritius.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • African Union Addressed • S/2002/979 (29 August 2002) Was Peace and Security in Africa
    SECURITY COUNCIL REPORT 2011 No. 2 10 May 2011 SPECIAL RESEARCH REPORT This report and links to all of the relevant documents are available on our website at www.securitycouncilreport.org Working TogeTher for Peace and SecuriTy in africa: The Security council and the AU Peace and Security council TABLE OF CONTENTS 9. The AU PSC-UN Security This Special Research Report 1. Introduction .................................1 Council Relationship ................23 responds to a growing interest in 2. Historical Context .......................3 10. Trying to Put Things in how to improve the joint efforts of 2.1 UN Chapter VIII Relationships ......3 Perspective .................................26 both the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council 2.2 The AU Comes into Being ............4 11. Council and Wider Dynamics ...28 to prevent and end violent conflicts 3. The AU Structural Design ..........5 11.1 Political Perspectives from in Africa. For almost six years SCR 4. The AU’s Peace and Security the Past ........................................28 has been analysing these efforts in System ..........................................6 11.2 Current Political Dynamics .........30 country-specific situations and at 4.1 The PSC’s Structure and 12. The Way Ahead ......................... 32 the thematic level. But with the tenth Working Methods..........................6 13. UN Documents ......................... 33 anniversary of the AU inauguration 4.2 The Continental Early 14. AU Documents.......................... 37 just over a year away it seemed Warning System ............................7 Appendix ................................... 38 clear that the relationship still had 4.3 The Panel of the Wise ...................7 many problems and was very far 4.4 The African Standby Force away from realising its potential for being an effective partnership.
    [Show full text]
  • AGOA – an Instrument of the US Ruling Class
    DIEGO GARCIA IN TIMES OF GLOBALISATION A Collection of Essays written by LALIT Published, typeset and printed by Ledikasyon Pu Travayer October 2002 Note: This may not be the final version that was printed in October 2002 Konteni Prefas ...........................................................................................................9 U.S Hegemony and Unilateralism .......................................................................17 By Ram Seegobin How Diego Garcia was Depopulated & Stolen ..................................................25 By lindsey collen &Ragini Kistnasamy AGOA – an instrument of the US ruling class ...................................................57 By Rajni Lallah Losean Indyin Zonn de Pe ubyin Zonn de Ger? ................................................85 Par Ashok Subron Lalit dimunn ordiner ...........................................................................................109 Par Lindsey Collen ek Rajini Kistnasamy Pozisyon Guvernman ek burzwazi ...................................................................125 Par Alain Ah-Vee Sityasyon Chagosyen Zordi ..............................................................................135 Par Rajini Kistnasamy & Lindsey Collen What exactly is “Mauritius”? .............................................................................147 By Lindsey Collen Diego Garcia under occupation ........................................................................155 By Anonymous Contributors False Assertions about the “Impossibility” of Getting
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report | 2018-19
    Ministry of External Affairs Annual Report | 2018-19 Ministry of External Affairs New Delhi Annual Report | 2018-19 Published by : Policy Planning and Research Division, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi This Annual Report can also be accessed at website : www.mea.gov.in Designed and Produced by www.creativedge.in contents Introduction and Synopsis 4 1. India’s Neighbours 32 2. South-East Asia and Asia-Pacific 64 3. East Asia 92 4. Eurasia 98 5. The Gulf and West Asia 110 6. Africa 124 7. Europe and European Union 146 8. The Americas 180 9. United Nations and International Organizations & Legal and Treaties Division 206 10. Disarmament and International Security Affairs 228 11. Multilateral Economic Relations 236 12. SAARC and BIMSTEC 244 13. Development Cooperation 250 14. Economic Diplomacy 260 15. States 270 16. Counter Terrorism 276 17. Global Cyber Issues 278 18. Boundary Cell 279 19. Policy Planning and Research 280 20. Protocol 284 21. Consular, Passport and Visa Services 296 22. Overseas Indian Affairs 308 23. Administration and Establishment 320 24. Right to Information and Chief Public Information Office 324 25. E-Governance and Information Technology 326 26. Parliament and Coordination Division 330 27. External Publicity & Public Diplomacy Division 334 28. Foreign Service Institute 340 29. Nalanda Division 346 30. Implementation of Official Language Policy & Propagation of Hindi Abroad 348 31. Indian Council for Cultural Relations 350 32. Indian Council of World Affairs 352 33. Research and Information System for Developing Countries 360 34. Library and Archives 372 35. Finance and Budget 376 36. APPENDIXES 385 Introduction and SynopsIs During the year under review, the Ministry of External Affairs launching of the two-year celebrations to mark the 150th continued its pragmatic and outcome oriented engagements, birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
    [Show full text]
  • Freedom in the World 1987-1988 Complete Book
    Freedom in the World Political Rights and Civil Liberties 1986-1987 A FREEDOM HOUSE BOOK Greenwood Press issues the Freedom House series "Studies in Freedom" in addition to the Freedom House yearbook Freedom in the World. Strategies for the 1980s: Lessons of Cuba, Vietnam, and Afghanistan Philip van Slyk. Studies in Freedom, Number 1 Escape to Freedom: The Story of the International Rescue Committee Aaro Levenstein. Studies in Freedom, Number 2 Forty Years: A Third World Soldier at the UN Carlos P. Romulo with Betty Day Romulo. Studies in Freedom, Number 3 Will of the People: Original Democracy in Non- Western Societies Raul S. Manglapus. Studies in Freedom, Number 4 Freedom in the World Political Rights and Civil Liberties 1986-1987 Raymond D. Gastil With an Essay by Leonard R. Sussman GREENWOOD PRESS New York • Westport, Connecticut • London Copyright © 1987 by Freedom House, Inc. Freedom House, 48 East 21st Street, New York, N.Y. 10010 All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 82-642048 ISBN: 0-313-25906-2 ISSN: 0732-6610 First published in 1987 Greenwood Press, Inc. 88 Post Road West, Westport, Connecticut 06881 Printed in the United States of America The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48-1984). 10 987654321 Contents MAPS AND TABLES vii PREFACE ix PART I. THE SURVEY IN 1986 Freedom in the Comparative Survey: 3 Definitions and Criteria Survey Ratings and Tables for 1986 29 The Comparative Survey: Criticisms and Comparisons 79 PART II.
    [Show full text]
  • African Security Review, Vol 12 No 1
    EDITORIAL FOOD SECURITY AND HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCIES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA The end of the Cold War in 1989 opened of the state even to the extent of severely the way for a resumption of a more open circumscribing human rights usually debate on security issues, freed from the regarded as sacrosanct in a democracy. In shackles of ideologically expressed bloc effect the official security agenda had moved formation. In some respects the years that back to a position not unlike that prevailing followed saw the re-emergence of the during the Cold War. human rights debate that had characterised Other analysts, from a non-government the years immediately following the end of perspective, drew different conclusions, and World War II, and the foundation of the sought to use the events to draw attention to UN. Not least among those urging a the glaring inequities of a global order broadening and deepening of the concept of moving apparently inexorably towards the security has been the current UN secretary- marginalisation of the majority of people, general, Kofi Annan, who has time and again especially in the South. For these analysts drawn attention to the importance of the events of 11 September served as a making people rather than states the reminder of the need to focus increasingly essential reference point in any discussion of on human rather than national security, security. ‘Human security’ has become a which so easily transforms itself into state, buzz-phrase in the public arena, with all the and eventually elite, security. threats that this implies for becoming For Africa, there is every danger that, in virtually meaningless.
    [Show full text]
  • Security Council Distr.: General 27 September 2013
    United Nations S/2013/577 Security Council Distr.: General 27 September 2013 Original: English Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Abyei I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted pursuant to paragraph 21 of Security Council resolution 2104 (2013), in which the Council requested that I continue to inform it of progress in implementing the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), and to bring to its attention any serious violation of the 20 June 2011 Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement on temporary arrangements for the administration and security of the Abyei Area (S/2011/384, annex). 2. The report provides an update on the situation in Abyei as well as on the deployment and operations of UNISFA since my previous report of 29 July 2013 (S/2013/450). In addition, it provides an update on progress made in the implementation of the additional tasks mandated to the Force under Security Council resolutions 2024 (2011) and 2104 (2013) with respect to the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism. II. Security situation 3. During the period under review, the security situation in the Abyei Area was generally calm, but remained highly unpredictable. The lack of concrete progress in the establishment of the Abyei Area joint institutions has created a dangerous political and administrative vacuum and tensions have concurrently been rising between the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities over the holding of a referendum in October 2013, as proposed by the African Union High-level Implementation Panel on 21 September 2012.
    [Show full text]
  • China's Role in Africa
    S. HRG. 112–203 CHINA’S ROLE IN AFRICA: IMPLICATIONS FOR U.S. POLICY HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON AFRICAN AFFAIRS OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS UNITED STATES SENATE ONE HUNDRED TWELFTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION NOVEMBER 1, 2011 Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Relations ( Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/ U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 72–397 PDF WASHINGTON : 2012 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512–1800; DC area (202) 512–1800 Fax: (202) 512–2104 Mail: Stop IDCC, Washington, DC 20402–0001 VerDate 0ct 09 2002 17:57 Jan 20, 2012 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 5011 Sfmt 5011 S:\HEARIN~1\112THC~1\2011IS~1\110111~1.TXT BETTY COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS JOHN F. KERRY, Massachusetts, Chairman BARBARA BOXER, California RICHARD G. LUGAR, Indiana ROBERT MENENDEZ, New Jersey BOB CORKER, Tennessee BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, Maryland JAMES E. RISCH, Idaho ROBERT P. CASEY, JR., Pennsylvania MARCO RUBIO, Florida JIM WEBB, Virginia JAMES M. INHOFE, Oklahoma JEANNE SHAHEEN, New Hampshire JIM DEMINT, South Carolina CHRISTOPHER A. COONS, Delaware JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois JOHN BARRASSO, Wyoming TOM UDALL, New Mexico MIKE LEE, Utah WILLIAM C. DANVERS, Staff Director KENNETH A. MYERS, JR., Republican Staff Director —————— SUBCOMMITTEE ON AFRICAN AFFAIRS CHRISTOPHER A. COONS, Delaware, Chairman BENJAMIN L. CARDIN, Maryland JOHNNY ISAKSON, Georgia JIM WEBB, Virginia JAMES M. INHOFE, Oklahoma RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois MIKE LEE, Utah TOM UDALL, New Mexico BOB CORKER, Tennessee (II) VerDate 0ct 09 2002 17:57 Jan 20, 2012 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 5904 Sfmt 5904 S:\HEARIN~1\112THC~1\2011IS~1\110111~1.TXT BETTY CONTENTS Page Brautigam, Deborah, Ph.D., professor, American University and senior re- search fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, DC .........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • (Hansard) First Session Tuesday 09 August 2016
    1 No. 23 of 2016 SIXTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) FIRST SESSION TUESDAY 09 AUGUST 2016 2 CONTENTS QUESTIONS (Oral) MOTION BILL (Public) STATEMENT BY MINISTER ADJOURNMENT QUESTIONS (Written) 3 THE CABINET (Formed by the Rt. Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, GCSK, KCMG, QC) Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, GCSK, Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs, KCMG, QC Minister for Rodrigues and National Development Unit Hon. Charles Gaëtan Xavier-Luc Duval, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism and External GCSK Communications Hon. Showkutally Soodhun, GCSK Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Lands Hon. Ivan Leslie Collendavelloo, GCSK, Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Public SC Utilities Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth Minister of Finance and Economic Development Hon. Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo, GCSK Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Hon. Yogida Sawmynaden Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Nandcoomar Bodha, GCSK Minister of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport Hon. Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research Hon. Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, SC Minister of Health and Quality of Life Dr. the Hon. Mohammad Anwar Husnoo Minister of Local Government Hon. Prithvirajsing Roopun Minister of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment Hon. Marie Joseph Noël Etienne Ghislain Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation Sinatambou Hon. Ravi Yerrigadoo Attorney General Hon. Mahen Kumar Seeruttun Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security Hon. Santaram Baboo Minister of Arts and Culture Hon. Ashit Kumar Gungah Minister of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Hon. Mrs Marie-Aurore Marie-Joyce Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Perraud Family Welfare Hon.
    [Show full text]